Delaware State Police have arrested 23-year-old Michael Showell-Potts of Newark on multiple counts of felony theft and related criminal charges after eluding police for months, according to Public Information Officer, Corporal/1 Jason Hatchell.
Hatchell said a collaborative effort by troopers from Troop 2 and Troop 6 patrol, Troop 2 Drug Unit, and Delaware State Police Special Operations Response Team (SORT), led to the successful apprehension of Michael Showell-Potts who was taken into custody on February 03, 2021. Showell-Potts had active warrants for felony Theft and other criminal charges related to 22 separate incidents beginning on November 27, 2020, up until January 23, 2021. In addition, Showell-Potts was wanted for numerous traffic-related charges stemming from a vehicle pursuit on January 27, 2021.
During the months of December 2020 and January 2021, Showell-Potts targeted numerous businesses in the Newark area and stole Newport cigarettes, according to Hatchell. Through investigative measures, Showell-Potts was identified as the suspect. On January 27, 2021, troopers located the suspect operating the same vehicle used to flee the scene in the prior incidents. A traffic stop was initiated, but Showell-Potts failed to stop and fled from police recklessly and at a high rate of speed.
The pursuit lead Troopers from Capitol Trail, down Harmony Road to Route 273 and then onto Route 7 where the driver repeatedly drove on the wrong side of the road, according to radio traffic from that day.
On February 03, 2021, a search warrant was executed at a residence located on Dumas Place in Newark. Showell-Potts was taken into custody without incident and transported back to Troop 2 where he was charged with the following:
Theft, Organized Retail Crime Over $1,500 (Felony)- 5 counts
Theft Under $1500 – 2 counts
Shoplifting Under $1500 – 6 counts
Conspiracy 3rd Degree- 2 counts
Disregarding a Police Officer Signal (Felony)
Numerous Traffic Violations
Showell-Potts was arraigned in Justice of the Peace Court #11 and committed to the Howard R. Young Correctional Institution on $21,400 secured bond.